By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, August 19, 2026 - Celebrated musician Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, has claimed that attempts to silence him after he used his music to question the Kenya Kwanza administration and demand greater accountability have pushed him deeper into politics.
Samidoh said his experience with his “One Term” campaign, in which he used music to raise questions about leadership, accountability and the direction of the country, strengthened his resolve to seek an elective position and participate directly in decision-making.
The musician has now declared his candidature for the Ol Joro Orok parliamentary seat in Nyandarua County, setting the stage for his transition from the entertainment industry to frontline electoral politics.
He has, however, not disclosed the political party or vehicle through which he intends to contest the seat in the 2027 General Election.
Samidoh, who has in recent years used his stage performances to criticise the Kenya Kwanza administration, said attempts to silence him only reinforced his determination to enter Parliament.
“My experience with One Term was particularly significant. I used music to raise questions about leadership and accountability. The response I received, including the attempts to silence me, only strengthened my conviction that citizens must be able to speak freely about the leadership of their country,” he said.
The singer said the experience was among the reasons he was now seeking a direct role in public affairs rather than limiting his contribution to music and public commentary.
“There comes a time when speaking about change is not enough. There comes a time when one must seek the opportunity to participate directly in the institutions where decisions are made, laws are enacted and national resources and policies are shaped,” he said.
His political declaration marks a significant shift for the musician, who has built a huge following through his music and stage performances.
Samidoh said he was not seeking the Ol Joro Orok seat because he was famous, but because his personal journey had exposed him to the struggles facing ordinary Kenyans.
“I am not offering myself for this position because I am a musician. I am not offering myself because I am famous or because my name is known across the country,” he said.
Instead, he said his decision was informed by his upbringing and experiences, including being orphaned at a young age before joining the Kenya Police Service and later venturing into music.
“I am a son of Ol Joro Orok. This is home. This is where my journey began,” he said.
Samidoh said his journey from the villages of Ol Joro Orok to stages across Kenya and beyond had given him an opportunity to interact with people from different communities and understand their struggles and aspirations.
He said these experiences had shaped his desire to seek public office and use Parliament to champion issues affecting his constituents.
Education at centre
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If elected, Samidoh said education would be at the centre of his leadership agenda, promising to pursue measures to reduce the financial burden on parents and ensure children do not remain at home because of school-related costs.
He said he envisioned an Ol Joro Orok where day-school students could access education with less financial pressure on their families, while exploring ways of progressively addressing the burden of school fees.
He also promised to promote technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills that could translate into employment and entrepreneurship.
“A certificate is valuable, but it must ultimately create an opportunity to earn a living,” he said.
The musician said he would seek to expand access to short, practical courses and establish mechanisms for transparent selection and monitoring of beneficiaries.
Jobs, farmers
Samidoh also pledged to focus on youth employment, agriculture, small businesses and talent development, saying Ol Joro Orok had enormous potential that required stronger networks and investment.
“Ol Joro Orok must become a constituency where young people can dream beyond survival. Where farmers can obtain better returns from their work. Where small businesses can grow. Where talent is identified and nurtured,” he said.
He also promised to push for improved roads, water, markets and other infrastructure, arguing that development should be measured by its impact on ordinary families.
Samidoh said his experience in the police service and music industry had prepared him for public service, insisting that his political ambition was not merely an extension of his celebrity career.
“I do not claim to have all the answers. But I have the experience of a journey that has taken me from very humble beginnings to places I never imagined I would reach,” he said.
He urged residents of Ol Joro Orok to support his bid, expressing confidence that his campaign would emerge victorious.
“This gives us fresh impetus and hope that we are the front runners in this race up to the election,” he said.
The declaration adds a new dimension to the political contest in Ol Joro Orok, with Samidoh now seeking to convert his widespread popularity and outspoken political messaging into an electoral mandate.